Calls for Papers for an exhibit catalog in NJ
The Museum of Early Trades & Crafts is seeking proposals for articles to
include in the formal exhibit catalog for the exhibit "Ghost, Ghouls and
Gravestones: The Trades of Burial" set to run September 2013 through
February 2014. All articles should relate in some way to the theme of
the exhibit and the state of New Jersey.
Abstract for the Exhibit:
The only guarantees in life are death and taxes.- Benjamin Franklin
Benjamin Franklin had it right, death is one of the few guarantees in
life and starting during the colonial period the final phase of life
helped to support numerous tradesmen in the American colonies, later
states. Among the several trades involved were gravediggers,
coffin-makers and gravestone carvers. Few tradesmen could survive solely
working these trades, unless they resided in heavily populated areas
during prosperous times, but they honed their skills while producing
similar products. While they may not have plied their trades full-time
these men helped their communities to mourn their dead and continue with
life. New Jersey tradesmen, notably John Frazee and Uzal Ward, also made
several major contributions to the mourning practices and styles in the
Mid-Atlantic region. Examples of these styles can be found in Bottle
Hill/ Hillside Cemetery, which also has several prominent graves. The
exhibit will also explore some of the well known ghost stories from the
area that have influenced the way burial trades and mourning practices
are perceived.
Please submit a 150-200 word proposal and C.V, by January 9, 2013.
Notification of acceptance will be made by the end of January.
Articles will be due June 17, 2013.
All proposals and questions should be sent to:
Siobhan R. Fitzpatrick
Curator of Collections and Exhibits
Museum of Early Trades and Crafts
9 Main Street
Madison, NJ 07940
curator@metc.org
include in the formal exhibit catalog for the exhibit "Ghost, Ghouls and
Gravestones: The Trades of Burial" set to run September 2013 through
February 2014. All articles should relate in some way to the theme of
the exhibit and the state of New Jersey.
Abstract for the Exhibit:
The only guarantees in life are death and taxes.- Benjamin Franklin
Benjamin Franklin had it right, death is one of the few guarantees in
life and starting during the colonial period the final phase of life
helped to support numerous tradesmen in the American colonies, later
states. Among the several trades involved were gravediggers,
coffin-makers and gravestone carvers. Few tradesmen could survive solely
working these trades, unless they resided in heavily populated areas
during prosperous times, but they honed their skills while producing
similar products. While they may not have plied their trades full-time
these men helped their communities to mourn their dead and continue with
life. New Jersey tradesmen, notably John Frazee and Uzal Ward, also made
several major contributions to the mourning practices and styles in the
Mid-Atlantic region. Examples of these styles can be found in Bottle
Hill/ Hillside Cemetery, which also has several prominent graves. The
exhibit will also explore some of the well known ghost stories from the
area that have influenced the way burial trades and mourning practices
are perceived.
Please submit a 150-200 word proposal and C.V, by January 9, 2013.
Notification of acceptance will be made by the end of January.
Articles will be due June 17, 2013.
All proposals and questions should be sent to:
Siobhan R. Fitzpatrick
Curator of Collections and Exhibits
Museum of Early Trades and Crafts
9 Main Street
Madison, NJ 07940
curator@metc.org
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